Scout Motors, a Volkswagen-owned brand, is reviving the storied Scout name — and with it, a return to old-school controls. The upcoming Terra and Traveler, slated for production in 2027, use a body-on-frame platform and will be available either as fully electric models or with a gasoline generator that extends driving range.

According to company chief Scott Keogh, modern cars have drifted into a dystopian realm where essential functions are buried in menus. Scout’s response is to bring back physical buttons and levers so the interface feels more intuitive and engaging. The Terra and Traveler concepts still include two displays, but core features — climate, lighting, and the transmission — are managed by familiar toggle switches.

There’s a twist of irony here: Volkswagen moved away from buttons in favor of touch panels a few years ago, which drew plenty of criticism. Now its subsidiary is symbolically restoring what many modern cars lack — tactility. More than 130,000 customers have already placed reservations, and 80% chose versions with a gasoline range extender.

The return of buttons isn’t just about nostalgia; it signals a shift in direction. After a decade of touch-first minimalism, drivers want to feel the machine rather than just the glass under their fingers. Judging by those reservations, the message is resonating — and Scout seems to have chosen its moment well.